Husein-paša's Mosque


Husein-paša's Mosque is a well-known mosque in Pljevlja, Montenegro. It was built between 1573 and 1594. It was named by Husein-paša Boljanić from the Boljanići village, which was close to Pljevlja. It has the highest minaret in the Balkans. It is regarded as "one of the most beautiful sacral monuments of Islamic architecture in Montenegro".

Design

The mosque has a square basis above which there rises a low-pitched dome set on a cubiform pedestal. An open porch covered with three small domes was formed in front of the main façade. A minaret was added close to the southern side. After it being struck by lightning in 1911, it was rebuilt into a slimmer and higher one, which is now the highest minaret in the Balkans.

Interior

The interior of the mosque and the porch are decorated with rich, in polychrome painted ornaments with floral motifs and quotations from Quran. Mihrab, mimber and mahvil abound in ornaments made in stalactites and in customary Turkish perforations.